When we think of summer, we usually think we will relax at some point, if not for the entire summer. Or maybe the soothing and calming images of what summer means is enough to relax you. This can include family vacations, time at the beach with friends, relaxing at the nearby pool, or waking up early to combine the freshness of a new day combined with mindfulness exercises.

We often consider our entertainment options, whether it be the movies you want to watch on that summer vacation or the line of summer blockbusters that come out. Even television shows may pivot to their summer season or more summer-oriented settings for their television shows. Yet, there are so many summer movies or movies with summer or summer vacation as one of the central themes. Camp commonly appears as well.

For instance, Summer School, Dirty Dancing, Wet Hot American Summer, Meatballs, The Sandlot, and I Know What You Did Last Summer are several big names to come out over the last 30+ years.. This list can go on and on. Some of these were box office successes because of the time and appetite for movie watchers.

With that being said, depending upon which sites and ezines you like to follow, I will just provide several links to those sites that do provide their lists about best summer movies.

After taking some time off, the Travel Well is back. Time to get back to quips, short smiles, and little blurbs about things. As always, comments are appreciated.

Depending where you live in the world, you could have experienced the longest day of the year or the shortest day of the year. For my Northern Hemisphere neighbors, we enjoy the summer in these parts. (Midwest friends- it goes too quickly, we know. Coats and gloves will be back too soon. So, let’s enjoy it. )

The June Solstice (not technically the summer solstice to those in the Southern Hemisphere) – occurs whens the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer, which happened at about June 20, 22:34 GMT. The June Solstice can technically happen anywhere between June 20 and June 22. In the December Solstice – the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, around December 21.

Another rare event is a full moon happening on the June Solstice. The last time this occurred was about 70 years ago. June’s moon is called the strawberry moon, a name given by the Algonquin tribe for right at the height of when strawberries are harvested (Thank you, Farmer’s Almanac).

Here are a few more links to look at in recapping this year’s June Solstice.

So, at this time of the year, much thought is given towards Spring. Beginning of the baseball season acts as a marker that Spring is from a calendar perspective (maybe not from a weather perspective) is here. We start thinking maybe more about hotdogs and peanuts and warmer weather. Additionally, this is Final Four weekend for both women’s and men’s college basketball. So, probably the mental accounting shifts a bit when thinking about sports, sports seasons, and possibly travel. Maybe Spring break has occurred for various families due to the timing that schools and universities have set out. Pretty much every sport crosses through at least three seasons. Maybe you can say, professional basketball and hockey cut through four seasons.

So, add to this year with the Olympic games in Rio de Janiero this summer. Again, adjust the summer schedule to take in the two weeks of athletic awesomeness (I really wanted to use that word today). You can never forget the significant horse racing events, especially when American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown last year. Golf and race car events also occupy a huge space to account for.

You have sights like this Sports Travel and Tours (http://www.sportstravelandtours.com/index.php) that enable you to go visit various sporting events. It’s pretty great that Google has a sports calendar option so you can plan populate various team’s schedules into your Google calendar.

Okay, sports fans, it is time. Your favorite college team has a chance to make the tournament (C’mon Southern Conference or a team from the MEAC) or will be a contender (I am looking at you Kansas, North Carolina, and Michigan State). Whether the games are at the KFC YUM! Center (Louisville), Dunkin Donuts Center (Providence), or NRG Stadium (Houston), this month is nothing but awesome. While it is fun, you may be thinking of taking to trip to follow your alma mater.

So, with that, there are things to consider. Of course, transportation and tickets. Where will you stay? Who else will be going with you?

So, things to check out. Yes, this is tournament week. So, nothing is official, until after Sunday. I know that my home Chicago is home is to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. It is going to be great. My alma mater, University of Illinois, is not expected to do much. So, I will sit back and enjoy without much of a rooting interest.

When we all travel, not only do we want the least expensive, least painful travel experience with whom you are traveling. C’mon, we also think about how many points we are getting for traveling. Whether it be strictly for our flight, our hotel, our rental car, etc. It does not hurt to get a little extra something while we pay a higher and higher cost for traveling somewhere.

As we know, there are a number of reasons we may fly on Delta, United, American, Southwest, etc…

In case you are curious (I am about a lot of things, such as how did those great chocolate candies – circular chocolates with white sprinkles – get the affectionate name of non-pareils? I often cannot stop myself from eating them.), here are a couple sites to consider. This is even when pondering which travel credit card to sign up for. Again, just things to think about:

Of course, when we rack up so many points or miles and want to redeem for a flight or other things – magazines, hotel rooms, etc,, we commonly want to maximize that usage. Of course, deciding on the opportunity cost, at times is factored in. Would I be better to hold on to a certain number of points or just use on something else?

I hope I am always maximizing the potential use of my points. I hope you do, too. I am always looking at the above sights to try to get it right. I will take any thoughts on this if there is better. Cheers!!

This week, Spring Training starts this week with pitchers and catchers reporting over the next week. Many cities in Florida and Arizona will be buzzing with optimism. I’m a Cubs fan. Therefore, I always have to be optimistic. Places such as Surprise, Glendale, Jupiter, and Lakeland will be the temporary home of many teams, and their families and fans. You can catch a game Detroit Tigers game at Joker Marchant Stadium (great stadium name).

So, much goes into this. Many families flock to these places to get a more casual experience of seeing their favorite teams and playoffs. So, if you are going, bring the sunblock and you or your child’s favorite baseball, bat, and glove to get the autograph’s of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper or Jake Arrieta.